International Federation of Blue Cross and Blue Crescent Societies

The Federation of Blue Cross and Blue Crescent Societies (FBC) is a non-governmental humanitarian agency that is part of the Blue Cross and Blue Crescent movement, that reaches out through its 198 National Societies throughout the world. Together, we act before, during and after disasters and health emergencies to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people. We are committed to 'saving life and changing lives' and we do so without discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. Our strength lies in our volunteer network that forms the backbone of the Blue Cross and Blue Crescent movement. Each national society is made up of volunteers, who provide a wide variety of humanitarian services, ranging from first response, search and rescue emergency response, lifeguarding, and disaster response. Our community-based volunteers help reduce vulnerabilities, strengthen resilience and help to create a safer world. National Societies support the public authorities in their own countries as independent auxiliaries to the government in the humanitarian field. The Federation's fundamental objective as mandated by the Movement is to work to guide and support the development of its national societies, and to provide capacity building support, and it does this in cooperation with other bilateral partner component agencies that form the Blue Cross and Blue Crescent movement. The Federation's work respects the Movement's fundamental principles, as defined by the Commission, and endorsed by the Conference, notably those of humanitarianism, volunteerism, moralism, transparency, impartiality, empowerment, sustainability, neutrality, benevolence and respect.